Fangzheng Paper-Cutting

Fangzheng paper-cutting circulates in Fangzheng county under Harbin; after the northeast was opened in the mid-Qing, inland migrants poured into Heilongjiang bringing central-Chinese folk paper-cutting with them, and through generations of local practice it grew into a style that blends northeastern flavour with central-plain depth, entering the national ICH register under traditional arts.

The paper-cuts take folk life, flowers, birds, fish and festival customs as their subjects, the cutting both bold and bold-spirited as is northern yet laced with delicate decorative detail, the compositions full and the lines fluent, often used as window or wall flowers for festival decoration.

Fangzheng paper-cutting carries the mingling of migrant culture and northeastern life, an important vehicle for studying northern folk art and migrant society, with considerable artistic and folkloric value.

Fangzheng paper-cutting can be seen and tried in Fangzheng county and at relevant Harbin ICH exhibitions.